What should have been the outstanding match of the season, anywhere in the league let alone Division 1, between the two outstanding club sides of the year, was marred by the car accident suffered by the doyen of Watlington Bowls Club the day before the match.

At the time of writing, I have little news of Bob Gilkes and his wife condition but wish them a speedy recovery.

Understandably, Watlington found it hard missing two of their usual skips, but held leaders Headington until the final few ends on three rinks, indeed, Howard Watts won his rink with the final bowl having been fifteen all at twenty ends and shot down as he stood on the mat. The resulting six point win leaves Headington fifteen points clear at the top of the league and, despite Watlington having a game in hand, unlikely to be caught before the end of the season.

City and County were cementing their place in the top three with a big win at South Oxford that, coincidentally, made their opponents favourites for relegation. Three comfortable rinks for the winners were sufficient to score more than David Tidball’s men could in defeating Alan Ley’s rink by ten shots.

West Witney hosted Banbury Central in a relegation battle that finished two rinks apiece. Indeed, the match was so close that Will Campion killed the final end of his match, despite holding shot, as he knew that he needed a five to win the match overall for his team. He lost the replayed end by two shots but that did not change the overall result.

Leaders Kidlington were not playing in Division 2 and their closest rivals, close neighbours Witney Town and Witney Mills, met in a promotion battle with the honours going to the home team. Comfortable wins for Tim Ludlow and Alan Scholan’s rinks meant that Paul Robbins’ big win for Mills was insufficient to take the match points.

Shiplake’s defeat of Chipping Norton means that the league is very close with seven points separating the top five teams. Big wins for Barry Lambourne, by twenty-three shots, and Jim Bland were enough for the home side despite Jeff Martin’s brave effort winning by sixteen shots only to lose a quarter of his total as he only had three men in his team!

Division 3 again saw a match where a single rink won well enough to snatch match points. Tom McKenna’s men won their match by twenty-two shots to give the match points to Banbury Central and rob Bicester of victory. This despite Alan Hall winning by ten shots for Bicester.

Surprise of the week was Blackbird Leys big defeat of long term leaders Charlbury. Leys have been playing well of late but five – one was still unexpected. In a match of big wins, or losses depending on your club, Jim Stevens took the prize with a thirteen shot win for Charlbury’s only point, whilst Roy Brain and Alex Fleming’s rinks both won by ten or more to give the match points to the home side.

Just to tighten up the division even more, Chadlington took the match points in their four-two defeat of Hanborough to leave seven points between second and seventh places with last place Headington having a match in hand over half those above them.

Division 4 leaders, Thame, maintained their form with a big win at West Oxford. Ken Calcutt’s rink led the way with a thirteen shot win, only Gary Richardson’s men were able to reply for the visitors.

City and County drew a very close match with promotion rivals South Oxford despite losing on three, very close, rinks. Geoff Powell skipped the only winning rink for the home side but did so by twelve shots which was enough to counter the visitors eight shots in total from their winning rinks.

Bloxham travelled to Oxford University Press and took the spoils thanks to Dave Morse’s rink winning by sixteen shots.

Thame still look secure at the top of the division but Bloxham are not out of the hunt as they still have to play the top two sides.